The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Another bright sunny day and out of the wind is lovely and warm.  We have had the door open for the afternoon to freshen the place up a little.

Yesterday we had a lovely potter around the cheap shop and we found the ornament for my sister that was just right.  As we are not heading that way I will ask dad if he is heading there around Christmas or possibly give it to BIL who will hide it for me at the back of the tree ready for her to find then taking it down.

Because the shop is attached to a supermarket that we don't normally go to, we like looking at all of the yummy treats that we don't normally get.  One thing I did notice was how much things had gone up in both shops.  £1.80 for a bar of chocolate that last year cost £1. This type of increase was all over and there were some crazy prices.  This year we will be going without some bits as I can not justify the extra costs.  Because we eat the same things all the time I guess I have not noticed the prices creeping up each week, but for the things I buy once a year the increase is seen all at once.  We went a little over budget but not crazy and fun was had.  

I really enjoyed this bonus weekend and need a few more in the next few months.  I doubt it will happen but you never know

slm6002

Another week done and the house is clean ready for my uncle to arrive.  The only thing I ran out of time for was mopping the kitchen floor.  Shame as it is really quite filthy.  Bedding is ready for him and am looking forward to a takeaway.  He should be here in the next half and hour.

If the estate agent fancied calling and saying they had someone to look round it wouldn't take too long to get that organised, but not heard from him this week

DD1 is not really enjoying her new office job - it is more of a call centre than she was lead to believe.  She would love to go back to her old job on the ambulances if they would allow 2 days rather than the 3.  She misses it.

Not much planned so hopefully a cheap / free weekend for us

slm6002

Well uncle wanted to look at a specific camera so we travelled an hour to a city near us so he could have a look,  and an hour later he came back to the car (we had waited in the car as it was only supposed to take 10 min) happy and with the camera in hand.  He takes forever researching things so this was actually quite a quick decision for him.

We then went to the new Ikea in the same city.  I have never been before and always wanted to go.  Although it is about 1/4 of the size of a normal one I can now say that I have been and I got the general feel for it.  We bought home a few things as most people do (so I've heard).  Didn't spend a fortune though and hopefully we can go back again as not too far for me to drive.

We came home to a slow cooker full of beef and ale stew, played some games and then watched strictly.  All in all a good day considering we had nothing planned.  Today is washing and sorting some bits while he is visiting my brother, although he has only just left. DD2 has a small band commitment so I will head to town with my list while she is there and tick a few things off my list.

dawnybabes

Humph, last time I visited ikea I ‘just want some scissors’ …… £86 later 🤣🤣🤣🤣

slm6002

I am awake at a crazy hour as Uncle wanted to leave a 6.  I love to see him but feel I can relax a little more now.  Few hours until I need to be at work so hopefully I can get ready in my own time once I've had a little relax on the sofa.  He will coming to visit at Christmas.  If in the very slight possibility that we are moving he will come and help.

2 weeks to go until half term. Clubs tonight and tomorrow and probably rehearsals for DD2 throughout the week.  DD1's BF is away for the week so she will be miserable lol. 

Managed to at least start DS's photo book but need to get that finished asap.

Right time to move.

debtfreewannabe321

@dawnybabes me too in ikea
@slm6002 I hope the countdown to half term flies by and you get a nice rest then. Our students are away on hols for two weeks from this friday but we sadly have to go in next week for training on our usual days. Meh. We get one week off though as usual and i guess we get two weeks off from students which is quite nice as they can be quite draining 🙈.

slm6002

Another Sunday has rolled round, this week went super fast but it took me several days to recover to the early start last Monday. I need so many hours of sleep or everything goes haywire and has an impact on everything else.  Caught up now and nothing to throw me off plan for the rest of the month as far as I am aware. 1 more week to go and I think people will suddenly realise the bits they need to give me before half term, so bound to be extra busy.

Still working on photo book for DS, so think he will have to have it after his bday on Saturday as I cant see it being here by then.  He will not mind one bit but wish I could have sorted it.  Currently waiting for photos from uncle (he wont send online so relying on the royal mail!).

Today I have been trying to engage DD1 and DD2 in helping with the meal plan.  DD1 likes to request meals that need either expensive ingredients or small amounts of things we don't have.  I have told her the budget for each week and that it covers everything we buy from the supermarket, so shower gel, toilet paper etc, as it needs to also cover breakfast and lunches, not just dinner.  She seems to thing it will be easy so I am leaving it with them to sort and will see what they come up with.

Both DS and DD1 have interviews for festive positions at Tescos this week.  Fingers crossed they find out soon.  They need to be 18 and DS told them that by the time he would be needed he will indeed be 18.  He has never had an actual interview so I will need to help him a little with some preparation.  Maybe they will get discount on the food shop?

Earlier in the week I contacted the estate agent and he tried to contact the viewer again.  He was amazed that he actually got hold of him this time.  Anyway we are still on his short list but until he is back in the UK (mid Jan) he wont be making any decisions as it isn't easy to sort things where he is (middle east I believe).  So yay that he is still a possibility, but the house we like is more likely to have gone.  If it is meant to be it will but even if he just put in an offer I could accept and then offer on our one.  Paperwork could wait until home.

Tonight is homemade pizza so i need to pop the dough on before I head out to collect DS from current job.

Humdinger1

Fingers crossed for houses @slm6002! Congratulations on your incredible activity levels and introducing darling children to budgeting.  That'll be yet another thing they'll respect you for, once they realise how hard it is.  Love Humdinger xx 

slm6002

Yay I have made it to the half term even if everyone suddenly decided an hour and a half before I was due to leave to actually get their bums into gear (after weeks of asking) and get bits I needed to me.  This then meant I finished 3 hours later than I was supposed to.  Anyway at least most of it was done and desk is clear ready for our return.

DS had his 18th birthday yesterday which was a quiet affair.  He had fun though and an apple crumble instead of his cake as requested.  He has opened his LISA account now that he is able to and will put his child trust fund money in there and bits along the way.  He is in no rush to move out unlike DD1 so can save steadily until he changes his mind.  Photo book was not finished but he knows it is on the way. Only 1 child in the house now - makes me feel old.

DD1 was offered a job on the spot (which apparently is very unusual according to another member of staff who was with her), but the hours are not to her liking.  DS is still waiting to hear.  They both also went to a walk in interview yesterday at Aldi (turn up and wait your turn).  We were there 10 min early and they were first in the queue.  Again DD1 has been offered a second interview but we haven't heard anything about DS so guessing that is a no.  He just needs a little more practice at interviews as he is not really a people person.  Anyway it is looking hopeful for DD1 and fingers crossed the hours will be better suited to her.

Tomorrow I have my car in the garage to have its breaks sorted.  I also have my phone call with the benefits people about my bank accounts.  So a fun day!  Tuesday is the boiler service in the morning and that is everything that is booked in for the week. We did test the boiler out last night just to check it was working lol. I expect we will also visit Nana this week and maybe a small local pumpkin patch.

Tonight is sausage casserole, mash and veg,  so nice and warming.

debtfreewannabe321

Well done DD on the job offer. And fingers crossed that DS hears back. Happy belated birthday to him too 🎉.